August 13, 2004
Patton new labor and employee relations director
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Brent D. Patton, a veteran Southern Illinois University Carbondale employee, is the University's new director of labor and employee relations. Kevin D. Bame, executive director of finance, announced the appointment today (Friday, Aug. 13).
Patton started his new duties on Monday, Aug. 9. The appointment is subject to ratification by the SIU Board of Trustees."With his experience on the campus, particularly in labor and employee relations, Brent is an excellent fit for this position," Bame said.
Patton's appointment is part of a reorganization of umbrella administrative structures for various administrative departments that Trustees approved in June.
He takes over some of the responsibilities handled by Robert H. York, who retired July 31 from his position as executive director of Human Relations and Support.
Patton will represent the University in contract negotiations with all non-faculty collective bargaining units and will handle employee relations issues. SIUC has contracts with 10 different unions, some of which have multiple contracts representing different types of employees.
"I have enjoyed working for the last 15 years in similar positions at the departmental level," Patton said. "I have a great deal of respect for Bob York. I worked with Bob for several years and learned a great deal from him. I felt my experience at SIUC would allow me to do a good job in the labor relations area."
A Carbondale native, Patton graduated from Carbondale Community High School in 1977 and attended SIUC from 1977 to 1980. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Southeast Missouri State University in 1982. After spending two years as an accountant in a private accounting firm in Sikeston, Mo., Patton joined the University in 1984 as an accountant in the bursar's office. In 1989, he accepted the position of associate director for auxiliary services in the service enterprises department.
He became a deputy director in Plant and Service Operations in 1992, and three years later became associate director for administrative services in Plant and Service Operations.
Patton and his wife, Vicki, live south of Carbondale with their two children, Hillary, 14, and Brooke, 10. He has been on the Unity Point School Board the past five years, serving as president for the past year.